Bent Brewstillery Dark Fatha Barrel-aged American Emperial Stout

Bent Brewstillery 2015 Barrel-aged Dark Fatha American Emperial Stout (whatever that is). Bent Brewstillery, Roseville, MN. Alc. 9.3 % by Vol. IBU: 57.

Solid blackness, thick and rich, large creamy, cocoa-tinged head.

Aroma: vanilla and cocoa are here. Nice oak-y tones, too. Huge aromatics. Very nice.

Taste:  In the mouth, it's ....barrel-y. Vanilla-y, oak-ish....and, just like the non-Barrel-aged version, on the thin side. Blah. I don't go to stout for "lightness". Somebody on the internet told me that I didn't get the Darth Vader reference resonates (not his word) because the lightness of the body and the darkness of the color suggests the balance of the Force, requiring both light and dark sides. Yeah, and I'm a Wookie's grandpa. 

Once the special treats of the barrel diminish and wear off, we're left with what we had originally, a weak and watery "Emperial" stout, that doesn't taste much like anything but a mistake. There's the promise of something rich and full-bodied, but the rug is pulled from the palate. It's just not...that...good. Eh..........

After this experience with the "non-BA" version, I wanted to give them another chance. Maybe this one was better? No, it's just bourbon barrel-aging covering up a very disappointing, mediocre stout. Eight dollars down the drain, lesson learned.

They say this on the website (and it's similar to what's on the label, but I'm not getting out my reading glasses): This distinctive hybrid beer style combines the crisp, clean feel of a light ale with the dark, cocoa, roasted smoothness of a stout. Big and booming with a delicately light soul.

Nope, I still ain't buying. What on earth would ever be what they describe above, and who would want it?